Acetyl-L-Carnitine Research
Acetyl-L-Carnitine has been shown to improve health across many bodily systems. L-Carnitine is the actual amino-acid-synthesized compound, but the acetylated form (which is more able to cross the blood-brain barrier) has been shown to have a higher bioavailability, meaning the body can more easily process and use it. The function of L-Carnitine within the body is to break down fats into energy. Carnitine delivers a part of the fatty acid to the mitochondria, which is responsible for producing all the energy the body uses. Without enough L-Carnitine, the body cannot create enough ATP from stored fats, which may lead to lethargy or fatigue. Because the body uses ATP for every biological process, carnitine deficiency has been shown to cause many symptoms, notably confusion, vomiting, muscle weakness, brain abnormalities, heart or liver failure, and may even lead to coma or death.
Carnitine deficiency has been associated with malnutrition during periods without food. The idea is that during periods of starvation, the body does not want to burn fat too quickly, so it prevents carnitine from being used. However, depending on your diet and age, your body may require more carnitine than you take in. Vegetarians and vegans should be especially careful, because carnitine is most commonly found in meat products. Pregnant women and elderly people also tend to need more carnitine than the average diet provides: for these groups, an Acetyl-L-Carnitine supplement is advised. You may experience mild symptoms of weakness or tiredness that could be the result of not having enough carnitine.
Acetyl-L-Carnitine, the acetylated version of carnitine, has shown significant promise in clinical trials for improving energy production in the body. Specifically, it has been shown as an effective supplemental treatment for those suffering from angina and in the wake of heart failure. Exercise, essential to those on the road to recovery, is often hard for those with heart disease, but Acetyl-L-Carnitine supplements have been shown to improve patients' ability to exercise without chest pain.
Due to its role in the body in the fat burning process, Acetyl-L-Carnitine has been used in weight-loss supplements for many years. Further studies are needed to confirm this claim; however, some of the roots of obesity, such as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) or conditions like atherosclerosis in the legs which prevent exercise, have been shown to improve significantly on an Acetyl-L-Carnitine supplement. Likewise, it has been shown to improve glucose storage, uptake, and oxidation for those suffering from type II diabetes. Acetyl-L-Carnitine helps to balance energy levels in the body, so it makes sense that, combined with regular exercise, it could significantly improve weight loss.
Some of the most extensive research on Acetyl-L-Carnitine supplements has to do with its role in brain health. Because the brain uses so much ATP energy to facilitate its many responsibilities, stable energy levels are vital for healthy brain function. It has been shown to significantly improve neurotransmitter function in the elderly, and can help relieve depression caused by Alzheimer's disease. In addition, studies of Carnitine's role in sexual health have been promising. It has shown to significantly reduce the impact of Peyronie's disease (pain due blocked blood flow in the penis during erection), and low levels of L-Carnitine have been linked to low sperm count.
Finally, as a strong antioxidant, Acetyl-L-Carnitine cleans up free radicals in its area of operation - namely, around the mitochondria. Free radicals are highly reactive molecules that do damage to whatever they are around. Left unchecked, free radicals can do damage to the mitochondria over a lifetime, decreasing our ability to produce energy as we age. With enough Acetyl-L-Carnitine cleaning up the free radicals around our mitochondria, our energy production centers remain intact.
